Adnan Ashraf, a multifaceted entrepreneur with interests spanning pharmaceuticals, technology, and real estate, is embarking on an exciting new venture to expand the renowned Nine restaurant brand into a global franchise. With its reputation for upscale Japanese cuisine and stunning panoramic views, Nine has captured the attention of discerning diners worldwide, and Mr. Ashraf aims to bring this exceptional dining experience to numerous locations across the globe.

To realize his ambitious expansion plans, Mr. Ashraf has engaged in discussions with a pioneering crypto crowdfunding platform, forging a strategic partnership for a joint venture involving 100 stores with an estimated investment of $120 million. Harnessing the power of cryptocurrency, Mr. Ashraf intends to expedite the growth of the Nine franchise and achieve his objectives more efficiently.

The first milestone in this expansion journey involves acquiring a prime waterfront location in Canary Wharf, a prestigious business district in London. Serving as the flagship Nine restaurant, this iconic setting will exemplify the brand’s exquisite cuisine and offer guests unparalleled views. Mr. Ashraf’s vision extends beyond this initial location, as he plans to continue expanding into other prime spots in London and beyond, introducing the Nine dining experience to cosmopolitan cities worldwide.

By partnering with a cryptocurrency crowdfunding platform, Mr. Ashraf aims to tap into the immense potential of this innovative funding mechanism. Cryptocurrency not only streamlines the investment process but also attracts a global community of investors passionate about supporting groundbreaking ventures in the hospitality industry. This collaboration is expected to fuel the rapid expansion of the Nine franchise, ensuring that more diners can savor its exceptional culinary offerings and immerse themselves in the extraordinary ambiance that defines the brand.

Drawing on his extensive entrepreneurial experience, Adnan Ashraf brings a wealth of expertise to this venture. His track record of success across various sectors attests to his ability to navigate complex business landscapes and identify unique opportunities for growth. With his diverse business interests and unwavering commitment to excellence, Mr. Ashraf is poised to spearhead the global expansion of the Nine restaurant brand, establishing a network of exceptional dining establishments worldwide.

Alliance Trucks, the leading Japanese and Korean car dealer in Russia, is proud to announce the launch of its new luxury transport rental aggregator, Alliance Rental. The project is the brainchild of Alexey Ivanov, the CEO and owner of Alliance Trucks, a successful businessman, traveler, and blogger. With over 59 countries visited, Alexey Ivanov has gained valuable experience in the automotive industry, which he has leveraged to create Alliance Trucks, a company that generates a trade revenue of $50 million annually.

Founded in 2014, Alliance Trucks has become the biggest Japanese and Korean car dealer in Russia, with four authorized and certified workshops, warehouses in the capital, and numerous certificates of first dealer with top-rated sales and service quality. The company’s mechanic team has won different national and international competitions of professional skills, including the ISUZU GRAN PRIX, where they were the first Russian and second in the world.

Alexey Ivanov’s awareness and commitment to 10 corporate rules have enabled Alliance Trucks to achieve its current status as a respected and reputable brand in the automotive industry. The rules include prioritizing emotional intelligence, respecting corporate culture and business ethics, seeking opportunities for growth in every crisis, and being socially active and engaged in charitable projects.

Alliance Parts, Alexey Ivanov’s latest venture, is a cars and spare parts distribution business in the United Arab Emirates with a global partnership with different car brands. The company leverages Alexey’s life and professional experience to scale similar projects in different market areas.

Alliance Rental is Alexey Ivanov’s latest project, an aggregator that offers a one-stop-shop for luxury transport rentals. The project’s main idea is to provide all the luxury transport rentals that customers may need for emotional holidays, celebrations, dream realization, business meetings, or just for premium lifestyle in one mobile application.

The application, marketing brand, and all business processes are complete, and legal compliance with local laws, rules, and regulations is under process.

Alliance Rental offers taxi Rolls-Royce, luxury sport cars, yachts, helicopters, and aircraft rentals. Partnerships with operators of luxury services are currently being signed, and the project is ready to launch soon.

Alexey Ivanov’s mission is to make the world a better and cleaner place, live a long, bright, and memorable life, create a family, raise children, create and invent something that deeply touches the feelings of people, be a mentor, teach knowledge, and leave a significant mark in history, society, and culture.

For more information on Alliance Rental and Alexey Ivanov, follow him on Instagram at @a.a.ivanov

As foreigners flock to buy old, inexpensive houses in Italy, one group has gone a step further, helping to revive a depopulated town.

Irsina, deep in the southern Basilicata region, is home to over 300 non-Italians from 12 different countries, alongside 4,000 local residents.

Until the 1960s, this hilltop village surrounded by fields had a population of 12,000, but mass emigration combined with harsh living conditions meant that by the 1960s, barely 4,500 people were living in the old historical center.

Today, things are different. Irsina in 2023 is an expat heaven of mostly retirees and American migrants living the rural Italian dream.

More than 15 families from the US and Canada have bought old properties in this remote village, known for its premium wheat fields and olive groves.

And they keep buying houses and expanding their properties, spreading the word back home of this dreamy location which seems to be frozen in time. Each time they come back, they bring along relatives and friends, all of whom become happy to spend between 20,000 and 150,000 euros ($22,000-$165,000) for a spacious dwelling with bucolic views.

Walking along the narrow alleys, all sorts of accents – American, Canadian, French, Norwegian – can be heard. There’s even a road which locals have rebranded “the Belgian Street” due to the many Belgians who live there.

The wild ‘hairy hill.

Irsina’s old name is Montepeloso, or the “hairy hill,” for its once grassy crest. It dates back to prehistoric times when it was inhabited by early humans, and later by local tribes. Archaeological objects including tools, weapons and ceramics used by cave men are on show at the village museum.

The old district, enclosed by high walls, is a maze of decorated stone portals, medieval watchtowers and elegant palazzos once belonging to the rich rural bourgeoisie. But the narrow, car-free streets that foreigners love aren’t what locals want. Many Irsina residents moved in the 1960s to newer neighborhoods of town, leaving the historic center largely empty.

How the dream of moving to Italy turned sour for one family
Irsina is known for its “bottini” – underground tunnels which used to carry water to the town’s cisterns. It also has a tradition of “human towers” – each May, actors dressed as farmers jump on the shoulders of others dressed as rural gentry, to create a shape which represents the social hierarchies of the past.

The town is also known for its succulent dishes with weird-sounding names. A laghën(e) pu m’r’cutte is handmade pasta with figs cooked in wine and bell pepper, while callaridde are sheep and goat delicacies.